What is ManOverboard & Action to be Taken in Case of MOB
Table of contents
- 1:- What is Man Overboard?
- 2:- Reasons for Man Overboard Situations
- 3:- Actions to Be Taken During a Man Overboard Situation
- 4:- Important Steps to be Taken After Man Overboard
- 5:- What is the Williamson Turn
- 6:- What is the Scharnow Turn
- 7:- What is the Anderson Turn
- 8:- Safety Measure to Avoid Man Overboard
- 9:- Conclusion
1:- What is Man Overboard?
- “Man overboard” refers to an emergency where a crew member falls into the sea from a ship. This can happen anywhere, whether the ship is on open seas or in port.
- Immediate action is essential to locate and rescue the individual to prevent drowning or hypothermia due to cold water.
- Causes of Man Overboard include bad weather, sea swell, accidents, and negligence. Safety protocols and regular drills are vital to ensure a swift and effective response.
2:- Reasons for Man Overboard Situations
Seafarers must exercise extreme caution while performing their duties, as the risk of falling overboard is always present. Several factors can lead to a man overboard scenario:
- Bad Weather: Strong winds and high seas can cause instability, making it easy for crew members to lose their balance and fall.
- Sea Swell: Sudden and powerful waves can unexpectedly sweep crew members off their feet and overboard.
- Accidents: Unforeseen incidents, such as slipping, tripping, or mishandling equipment, can result in someone falling into the sea.
- Negligence: Failure to follow safety protocols, such as not wearing a safety harness or not securing oneself properly, significantly increases the risk.
The risks associated with a man overboard situation are severe, including drowning due to rough sea conditions and hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold water. Immediate response and recovery efforts are critical to ensure the safety and survival of the overboard individual.
3:- Actions to Be Taken During a Man Overboard Situation
The immediate and early sighting of a fallen crew member significantly increases their chances of survival. The following actions must be taken urgently to rescue the person who has fallen overboard:
- Alert the Crew: Shout “Man Overboard on Starboard/Portside.”
- Steer the Ship: Switch to hand steering from the auto and turn the wheel hard over to the respective side.
- Deploy MOB Marker: Release the MOB marker from the bridge wing; this buoyant marker has a self-igniting light and self-activating smoke signal.
- Mark Position: Press the MOB button on the GPS to mark the casualty’s position.
- Sound Alarm: Sound three prolonged blasts on the whistle to alert the crew and supplement with the appropriate ‘O’ flag.
- Post Lookout: Assign an extra lookout immediately.
- General Alarm: Sound the General Alarm to ensure all crew members are alerted.
- Announce MOB: Use the ship’s PA system to announce the MOB situation.
- Inform Engine Room: Notify the engine room that maneuvering will be required.
- Execute Williamson Turn: Perform the Williamson turn to return to the MOB’s position.
- Monitor Radar/ARPA: Keep a close watch on the radar and set VHF to Channel 16.
- Log Events: Record all events in the Bell book.
- Follow Master’s Orders: Execute commands from the Master.
- Deck Operations: The Chief Mate manages deck operations, including lowering survival craft.
- Bridge Assistance: The Third Mate assists the Master on the bridge.
- Urgency Signal: Send out an urgency signal to inform nearby ships.
- Visual Contact: Keep the lifebuoy marker in sight.
- Rescue Boat: Man the rescue boat adequately and ensure all crew wear personal location beacons. Carry a portable VHF radio.
- Rescue and Recovery: Once the person is rescued, retrieve the lifebuoy and hoist the rescue boat back.
- First Aid: Administer immediate first aid if required.
- Cancel MOB Alert: Send out a signal to cancel the previous MOB alert.
- Log Entries: Make appropriate entries in the Ship’s Logbook.
- Conduct Inquiry: The Master must conduct an inquiry and document the incident.
4:- Important Steps to be Taken After Man Overboard
- Engine and Steering: The engines should not be stopped immediately to keep the person away from the propeller. Turning the wheel hard over helps keep the stern away from the casualty.
- Visibility Challenges: Sighting a person overboard can be difficult during daylight due to glare; immediate and coordinated action is crucial.
- Lifebuoy Utility: The lifebuoy’s smoke signal helps mark the MOB’s location. It should be retrieved to prevent confusion for other ships.
5:- What is the Williamson Turn
- Initial Action: Note the ship’s current position.
- First Turn: Turn the wheel hard to the side where the casualty is located.
- Course Change: When the ship has changed direction by about 60 degrees, turn the wheel hard to the opposite side.
- Prepare for Reciprocal: When the vessel is 20 degrees short of being on the opposite course (reciprocal course), straighten the wheel.
- Completion: The ship will then be on the course back toward the casualty.
6:- What is the Scharnow Turn
- Initial Action: Turn the rudder hard toward the person overboard.
- Large Course Change: Continue turning until the ship has deviated by 240 degrees from its original course.
- Opposite Turn: Shift the rudder hard to the opposite side.
- Prepare for Reciprocal: When the ship is about 20 degrees short of the reciprocal course, straighten the rudder.
- Completion: The vessel will then be on the reciprocal course, heading back toward the person.
7:- What is the Anderson Turn
- Stop Engines: Immediately stop the engines.
- Initial Turn: Turn the rudder toward the person overboard.
- Resume Full Speed: When clear of the person, go full speed ahead, maintaining the turn with a full rudder.
- Course Adjustment: After turning about 240 degrees (almost 2/3 of a circle), back the engines 2/3 or full.
- Final Approach: Stop the engines when the person is 15 degrees off the bow. Adjust the rudder and engine as needed to reach the target.
8:- Safety Measure to Avoid Man Overboard
Preventing Man Overboard (MOB) incidents requires a combination of safety measures, proper training, and vigilance. Here are key strategies to minimize the risk:
- Crew Training and Drills: Regularly train and drill all crew members on MOB procedures, including how to use safety equipment and perform rescue operations.
- Safety Equipment: Ensure that all crew and passengers wear appropriate personal flotation devices (PFDs) and that life rings, life buoys, and other rescue equipment are easily accessible and in good condition.
- Effective Communication: Maintain clear communication among crew members, especially when performing tasks near the edge of the vessel or during rough conditions.
- Safety Barriers and Guardrails: Install and regularly inspect safety barriers, guardrails, and non-slip surfaces around the deck to prevent accidental falls.
- Watchkeeping Procedures: Implement strict watchkeeping procedures to ensure that the crew is alert and monitoring all areas of the vessel, particularly in high-risk conditions or during challenging maneuvers.
- Regular Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine checks and maintenance on all safety equipment and systems to ensure they are operational and ready for use in an emergency.
- Risk Assessment: Conduct risk assessments for various operations and conditions to identify potential hazards and implement preventive measures.
9:- Conclusion
“Man overboard” situations are critical emergencies that require swift action to prevent loss of life. Whether due to bad weather, sea swell, accidents, or negligence, crew members falling into the sea pose significant risks.
We discussed various maritime maneuvers used to rescue people who have gone overboard, with a focus on the Williamson Turn, Scharnow Turn, and Anderson Turn. Each maneuver outlines specific methods for changing course and controlling the ship’s rudder and engines to effectively return to the casualty.
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